Creating a Video Dissolve Transition in Avid

Creating a video dissolve transition is very easy to
do in Avid. Avid has a feature called the Quick Transition button that
allows you to create a video dissolve transition without having to use
the Effect Palette. The Quick Transition button allows you to apply
dissolves, film dissolves, fade to color, fade from color, film fade,
and dip to color video transitions.

There are a number of ways that you can access the Quick Transition
button. The Quick Transition button is available in the Timeline top
toolbar, the Tool palette, and the FX tab of the Command palete. This
guideline will go over directions for creating a video dissolve
transition in Avid by using the Quick Transition button.

Step 1 - The Timeline and the Quick Transition Button

Before you click on the Quick Transition button, you need to
reposition the Timeline. The Timeline position indicator should be
located in the exact location that you want the video dissolve
transition applied. Once you have positioned the Timeline, you can
click on the Quick Transition button, which is represented by a
gradient square.

Step 2 - Selecting the Dissolve Transition

You will need to select the dissolve transition from the Quick
Transition dialog box. You can do this by clicking on the Add drop down
list, which is located at the top of the dialog box.

Step 3 - Setting the Dissolve Transition Duration

There are two ways that you can set the dissolve transition
duration. One option is to type a number into the duration field. The
number that you type in is represented by frames. You can also click on
the edges of the Dissolve Effect icon and drag it to change the
duration of the dissolve transition.

Step 4 - Adjusting the Position of the Effect

Once you have set the duration for the dissolve transition, you need
to adjust the position of the effect relative to the cut point. You can
adjust the position of the effect by clicking on the Position menu,
which is located under the Add menu that you used in step 2. From the
position menu, you can select options that will have the effect end at
the cut point, center on the cut point, or start at the cut point.

Step 5 - Setting a Start Time

Now that you have adjusted the position of the video dissolve
transition, you need to select a start time for the transition. You can
do this by typing a number into the Start Text Box. The Start Text Box
is located directly beneath the duration field in the Quick Transition
dialog box. The number that you type in is represented by frames before
cut.

Step 6 - Selecting a Target Drive

The final step in creating a video dissolve transition in Avid is to
select a target drive. This can be done by clicking on the Target Drive
menu. Avid will save the dissolve transition that you have created on
the drive that you specify. Once you have selected a target drive,
click on the Add button to your the video dissolve transition that you
have created to your project.